A/N:
I've been going through some old story files in my computer and changing them up a bit before posting. It's been a while and while I do have other stories to get on to, I'm more in the mood to post some short stories before doing anything else. That, and I still think the Vocaloid Archives could use some more Ryuuto/Lily familial bonding. I'll probably do an AHS family-centered fic later today or sometime this week.
Ryuuto had never known such a quiet night.
Back at his old home, the house was always humming with some sort of life all day and night. But here in the lone apartment of his older sister - Lily -, everything slept. It seemed even the outside critter's tonight were quiet in deference to the house's rest.
And the silence only made his insides twitch and squirm in mortal fear.
They were just stories. Stories from an anthology that he had chosen because he wanted them to try something different. And he did like it, even when things turned ghastly, because nothing could harm him there in the warm tone and the steady rhythm of Lily's voice.
But every horrid detail of the scary tales came rushing back into his brain when dusk turned to inky darkness. As the stars sang in their sphere of night, the shadows they cast through his window were alive and gliding over his protective bed sheet. Great claws and arms were reaching for the glass, the branches of the trees swaying in the unheard wind. His heart hammered against his ribs as he realized he was not alone, unaware that his intruder was only Lily's nice girlfriend's bunny jacket that she had left behind that day, slung haphazardly on his chair. He bolted upright at an unfamiliar shape that wasn't actually there, clutching the blanket tight.
He couldn't stay here. Not alone at any rate. So Ryuuto wrapped his blanket around his shoulders, a shield from the evils of the witching hour, and braved the walk over to Lily's room.
Just crossing the threshold provided a welcome wave of relief. Just the sound and subtle movement of the deep breathing that came with Lily's peaceful slumber provided comfort. She didn't exactly appreciate being roused from such a state, grumbling as Ryuuto softly shook her shoulder. Or tried to; he might have been clutching a bit tighter than he knew. She rubbed sleep from one eye with the palm of her hand and blearily blinked up at him. Even in the dim starlight, his face was starkly pale against his green hair.
She should have known this would happen.
Unwilling to waste energy on protest and in no condition or mood to lecture her little brother at this late hour, she marginally shifted to give him room. She felt his weight pin down her own blanket, opting to sleep on top of the covers rather than underneath. Though she felt him reach and grip her hand, keeping her partially awake.
Eventually she felt his hold go slightly slack and his breathing even out at last.